Mauricio Pochettino responds to Chelsea links with Evan Ferguson

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has played down links with Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson, while he also refuted suggestions he is looking to sign a new striker.

The Blues only have two natural centre forwards in their senior ranks this season - 22-year-olds Armando Broja and Nicolas Jackson, the latter of which is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelsea have repeatedly been linked with moves for Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney, while Ferguson of Brighton has also been tipped to make the move to Stamford Bridge in recent days.

But when asked in his press conference after Saturday's 1-0 win against Fulham is there was anything to these rumours, Pochettino was in no mood to divulge.

"No, you know very well I'm not going to talk about rumours, I'm not going to talk about players that are in a different club, I am so respectful," Pochettino said.

"We are not talking. We are assessing the squad and if something happens we will communicate, but we have not taken any decision."

In his pre-match press conference, Pochettino suggested that Chelsea would look to the transfer market to fill the hole left by Christopher Nkunku's hip injury, but he claimed this was not his intention.

"I never said we needed a centre forward. After that, it creates a problem with me and my people. I never said that," he asserted.

"I didn't say that yesterday in my press conference that we need [another striker], I said we are working like another club to assess and see the market for different situations that can appear. The most important thing is the club is ready to act in another direction, but I never said we need another player, to add another player in the squad."

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